The Hunters Plight

Chapter 1

Naivety.

You could say that it caused my death. Both my own and others naivety is at the core of the reasons for my death.

Myself, well I was aware of what could happen as a result of my venture, but I allowed myself to relax. I got cocky because I was naïve enough to think that I was in the clear. I never truly considered the consequences of making that mistake, the mistake of letting my guard down before the time was right. Before it was safe.

To most my job appears mundane and safe, that's where the naivety of others comes into play, the harsh truth is that this line of work can be life-threatening, that a single mistake could cost me my life. However, the few years I had worked within my field, completely safe, had made me unbearable naïve and utterly unaware of the dangers. I had never had to face the ugly truth – my research hadn't become quite noticeable enough.

It was this time.

This time the crushing weight of reality hit and tore everything I'd built apart.

This time I had to face the consequences with the bitter taste of fear burning at my mouth like acid.

This time my precautions didn't seem silly or pessimistic but perfectly placed for the series of events that befell me.

This time, one misjudgment was enough for my entire world to come crashing down around me.

It was in the early days of February that the idea that caused it all struck me. In a pub of all places, if you can believe that?

In the darkness of the pub, I glanced at the TV, and there on the news there had been some story about a military dog being retired after years of faithful service and dedication. This story sparked something within me, and I was t as plagued with the thought that most dogs retire without their handlers: without their only family to accompany them to retirement.

So, I had begun to consider ways to make something that worked similarly to a military dog but without it having the limitations and fatal weakness that chain animals to a cruel fate: old age and incurable illnesses.

I began by researching wolves specifically. Their build is perfect for being silent whilst also being a powerful and savage adversary.

With this in mind I had begun designing. I commence my world-altering work by sketching the parameters of the body. I then proceeded the arduous task of considering the materials that would be most beneficial to this device. The material needed to be light but durable to withstand the brutal conditions of war. I eventually settled on titanium.

Once I had completed the designs of the physical aspects, I turned my focus to the coding. I had managed to get my hands on the common commands for military-trained dogs, so I included them into the extensive code. I had attempted to make it so that bot would learn and progress while remaining completely loyal to its handler. Don't want a repeat of the terminator, do we?

In the year that followed my work progressed tremendously, and I was consumed in piles of research and designs. Friends and family faded into the background, drowned in a haze of calculation and lines of code. I didn't answer my phone or actively try to socialise. I allowed myself to bury myself in my work and the rush of adrenalin at fulfilling my aspirations. The idea of making my mark on the world in such away became a drug for my mind.

I was so glad I had done that.

I had done it.

I had managed something I had dreamt of doing since I was a child.

The robotic wolf was made to appear as just an average animal to the average civilian. It would act like any dog however when the handler was chosen a chip would be placed in their arm. This would allow them to call it to them and this chip would also prevent anyone using the dog without the handler.